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LMSR 12 Ton Open Merchandise Wagon PBA 66071

PBA No.66071, November 2005. Martin Skrzetuszewski

This wagon is one of 12,200 12 Ton Open Merchandise wagons built to LMSR diagram D1892 between 1934 and 1939. Th ere were detail variations between lots (4 different drawings were issued). Many of the vehicles to this diagram were built in the workshops of independent contractors, rather than those of the LMSR. Diagram D1892 included both wagons built with automatic vacuum brake and those with handbrake only.

This particular wagon was built in 1934 by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company with automatic vacuum brake and "clasp" type brakegear, but its original running number is unknown. BRCW built 400 wagons to lot 786 in 1934. The running numbers were in the series 400800 - 401199

During WW2, the capacity of 12 Ton open wagons was increased to 13 Tons. This wagon continued in main line service until it was sold to the Port of Bristol Authority in 1966. The vacuum brake cylinder and pipework were removed and it was renumbered PBA 66071. Its new tare (empty) weight without vacuum brake was 6 Tons 16 cwt. It was sold from Bristol, arriving on the Bluebell Railway in 1981.

The frame of this wagon is in poor condition due to corrosion. Although it is intended to restore it to its original condition, it must wait its turn in the queue of heritage wagons requiring repair.

Recommended reading:
"An Illustrated History of LMS Wagons - Volume 1", by R.J.Essery (OPC 1981). ISBN 86093 127 7.
"An Illustrated History of LMS Wagons - Volume 2", by R.J.Essery (OPC 1983). ISBN 86093 255 9.